Humans Since 1982

Humans since 1982 was established in 2009 by Bastian Bischoff (b. 1982, Germany) and Per Emanuelsson (b. 1982, Sweden) who met as postgraduate students at HDK Göteborg in 2008. With a diverse and complex practice that traverses art, design and technology, Humans since 1982 defy easy categorisation. Their provocative sculptures and experiential installations are driven by a shared curiosity and desire to make sense of the world.

Signatures within their practice include the elevation and subversion of everyday objects including clocks, smartphones and surveillance equipment, visual puns and the pursuit of obtaining the unobtainable. With equal parts playfulness and meticulous process, industrially produced objects are liberated from their administrative functions to become visually engaging and technically challenging artworks. Their collaboration brings together conceptual exploration with mischievousness and meticulous problem solving to create works that are deceptively minimal, despite the complex methodology behind each piece. Humans since 1982’s practice is centered around the human experience, using technology as a mechanism to explore our motivations and anxieties.

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, their studio is co-owned with engineer David Cox (b. 1983, Australia). The growing interdisciplinary team comprises international specialists including programmers, designers and technicians who collaborate to take Humans since 1982 projects from concept to realisation.